n

n

nThe bell already rang, indicating that it was the end of classes. Not showing to his students his relief, Pan An turned his back to face them, already dismissing his last class in the afternoon before evening strikes.

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"Remember to do your homework. Remember the standard of making your report—font size 11, font style Century Gothic, 1.5 space, margin half inch all sides, A4. Understood?

"

n

"Yes, Professor!

"

n

"Alright.

" The professor nodded, seeing that his students already understood.

"Class dismissed.

"

nThe students already fixed their things and stood from their desk. Pan An waited for them to leave before he leaves the class, making sure that no one or nothing is left before he closes the door for the janitorial team to clean once the professor has logged out his use of the class since he is the last touch.

nSighing, the professor leaned on the board for a while, pinching the bridge of his nose as he still had the headache, as if the pain was not having the intention to leave him.

n'Damn… I already had coffee, but it's still here? I think I need more sleep later on.'

nAs Pan An was fixing his things inside his bag, he caught a familiar figure passing by, making him slightly widen his eyes as he called out to her.

n

"Shu Xian?

"

nThere was silence for a while. Soon after, Shu Xian bobbed her head behind the opened door, blinking her eyes a few times as she did not expect to pass by Pan An's classes even though it has already finished.

n

"Oh! Pan—

"

nPan An raised a brow at her, reminding her of what they talked about earlier.

n

"Professor Pan An,

" Shu Xian addressed, walking inside the classroom as she rolled her eyes at him.

"You tell me to call you by your name and now you're telling me to address you formally,

" she complained, making the professor scoff.

n

"There is a difference, Shu Xian,

" he started, already zipping his bag to secure his belongings.

"You call me informally when we're not in the university, and then you call me formally when we're in the university. People will think otherwise. Isn't this what you were worrying about before, hmm?

"

n

"Alright, alright,

" Shu Xian commented, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"I'll be more careful, Professor.

"

nAt the same moment, Pan An felt his head throbbing once more, making him grunt for a moment, getting Shu Xian's attention.

n

"Are you alright?

" she asked, Pan An, honestly telling her what he feels as he got his phone from his pocket and dialed Wang Lei's number.

n

"No. It's the hangover. It hasn't left my head at all.

"

nWith how quiet the room is, Shu Xian heard the call connect to the receiver, hearing Wang Lei's voice already.

n

"Yo! What's up?

"

n

"I'm sorry, Wang Lei,

" Pan An apologized,

"I think we would have to postpone our dinner today. My head is still not giving me mercy.

"

n

"Aaah…

" Wang Lei chuckled, Shu Xian oddly finding his voice attractive in the call.

"Alright, then. We go next time.

"

n

"En. Thanks so much for understanding.

"

n

"Sure.

"

nWith that, the call had already ended. Pan An kept his phone inside his pocket, Shu Xian, clearing her throat as she said something, slightly worried about his headache.

n

"Want me to immediately cook dinner? A soup, perhaps, to make you feel better? I can make tea as well,

" she suggested, Pan An, looking at her as he actually thought about the idea.

nHis eyes locked with Shu Xian's. He then noticed how simply beautiful she is, also remembering the hug that he got from her moments ago when he gave her the application form for being a student assistant.

n

"Thank you. I actually like the suggestion but I want rice for now,

" Pan An replied, snapping himself from his thoughts.

n

"Alright, then,

" Shu Xian nodded, giving him a small smile as well.

"I'd have to go ahead, then. I need to prepare the ingredients so you can have them—

"

n

"Wait,

" Pan An interrupted, seeing that Shu Xian is about to leave him in the classroom.

"Wait for me. Let's walk home together.

"

n

"Wh-what?

"

nShu Xian widened her eyes, not believing what she heard from the professor, her heart beating fast in her chest at the same time.

n

"B-but others who see it might think of us as—

"

n

"I just wanted to ask you about your progress as being a student assistant,

" Pan An interrupted,

"And besides, it would only be a quick walk home—people won't have to follow us that far,

" he said, Shu Xian, narrowing her eyes at him in doubt.

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"I think I would still have to worry about other people who have the audacity to follow behind you, Professor.

"

nPan An rolled his eyes, shoving Shu Xian the papers that he collected from his previous classes. Shu Xian then widened her eyes in disbelief, not expecting what he heard from the professor coming out as an order.

n

"Help me carry these papers home. Now that would be enough reason for them not to think suspiciously, no?

"

n

"Huh?

" Shu Xian furrowed her brows,

"But won't you think that other men once they see me, would volunteer to carry these stacks on my behalf—

"

n

"They wouldn't dare,

" Pan An interrupted, scoffing at the same time.

"With a handsome professor beside you, how could they not be intimidated seeing me beside you? You carry the papers.

"

nWithout waiting for Shu Xian's reply, Pan An already went out of the classroom, turning off the lights as Shu Xian immediately followed him, calling out to his shamelessness in the empty corridor, her voice echoing.

n

"Shameless, Professor Pan An! Just shameless!

"

nPan An didn't dare to wait for her, Shu Xian, struggling to keep up with his large strides. A grin crept on the professor's face, already getting revenge with how he remembered Shu Xian grabbing him by the necktie earlier this morning.

n'Aren't you as shameless as me, Shu Xian? Now I think I understand what Wang Lei was meaning back then when he said he wanted Yu Yan to take back her words. I want Shu Xian to cancel her plans with my mother!'

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